Many medical specialists provide vein treatment services:  Vascular Surgeons, Dermatologists, Plastic Surgeons and others.  The best results are obtained when the treatments are performed by a highly experienced trained individual.  The informed patient will ask his or her physician the following questions:

• How many procedures do you perform per year?
• What percentage of your practice is devoted to vein treatments?
• Do you belong to a society?
  i.e., American College of Phlebology
• Do you attend meetings pertaining to the treatment of veins?

The patient should not be embarrassed to ask these questions.  The ethical physician would encourage these inquiries.

The Vein and Laser Centers of Central New York is the only specialized vein treatment center* in New York State's Southern Tier.  With years of experience and specialization in the treatment of the following venous problems:

• Varicose veins 
• Spider veins and blemishes
• Venous leg ulcers
• Phlebitis
• Chronic leg swelling
• Facial veins, rosacea
• Difficult and recurrent venous problems

     Treatment modalities include:

• Injection sclerotherapy
• Laser sclerotherapy
• Minimally invasive microsurgery, with immediate return to normal activities

     New: Division of Laser aesthetics for removal of unwanted hair

All procedures are performed in-office or at the adjacent Surgicare Center.  Same-day surgery requires no hospitalization

After a thorough clinical evaluation, a treatment plan will be designed to meet the individual patient's needs.  Treatment may consist of a combination of sclerotherapy, laser treatments and microsurgery.

Most patients report minimal to no pain while undergoing injection sclerotherapy or laser therapy.  For patients with heightened sensitivity or apprehensive patients, an anesthetic cream is applied prior to the procedure.

The blush-like blemishes commonly seen on the face called telangiectasias are the result of sun exposure and genetic predisposition for which laser treatment is highly effective.  Another treatable condition seen in adults is rosacea, which responds equally well to laser therapy. 

Vein treatments are relatively inexpensive, particularly when compared to other cosmetic procedures.  If the veins are causing symptoms or there is a medical necessity, many insurance plans will cover all or part of the treatment.  Surgery is almost always covered by most insurance and managed care plans.  An estimate of cost, with payment options will be provided at the time of your first consultation.

Sclerotherapy is a method of eliminating superficial varicose or spider veins by injecting a special solution called a sclerosing agent, directly into the vein.  This causes the vein to collapse and seal itself off, eventually to be reabsorbed by the body.  The blood is re-routed through healthy veins.

Laser is an acronym for Light Augmentation by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.  When a medium, such as a gas or crystal, is stimulated by the flow of electrons, a special kind of light called coherent light is generated.  That light can be used at various levels of intensity to specifically destroy unwanted pigmented lesions, blood vessels or body and facial hair.

The majority of patients undergoing treatment will have total resolution of the visible veins or at least a marked improvement.  There is approximately a 5% chance of having only fair results in which injected veins have not completely disappeared following treatment.  Before and after photographs are taken so that patients may objectively assess their results.

The number of treatments required will vary with each individual, depending on the extent of visible varicosities and spider veins.  A range of 1-8 treatments can be expected.  Pressure bandages applied to the injection sites should remain in place for 24 hours after treatment. 

Legs should be elevated during rest periods.  Strenuous exercise may be resumed after the dressings have been removed and the physician has approved.  Wearing elastic stockings is highly recommended since this improves the cosmetic and functional results of the treatment.

Some slight itching may be noted at treated sites from a few minutes up to a day or two following treatment.  Transient discoloration of the skin, in the form of a pale brown stain appearing along the pathways of the treated veins, may occur.  Generally, these resolve within 4 weeks, but on rare occasion have taken up to 6 months to disappear.

In a small percentage of patients, the natural tendency to form spider veins will lead to the formation of new clusters in other areas many months or years following treatment.  It is recommended to treat those areas as they appear during a touch-up or maintenance session. 

The well-informed doctor or patient will refer to or seek treatment directly from a specialist.  Only after careful evaluation by the Center's specialized phlebologists, can a treatment plan be formulated and implemented.  With over 1000 treatments per year, the Center's vast experience allows them to treat even the most difficult cases with excellent results.  During your visit to the Center, you will be able to review our photography library with many examples of before and after pictures.  Emphasis is on excellent results and high patient satisfaction.

SmartPeel Microdermabrasion was designed with the safety and comfort of the client in mind.  The unique anti-viral air filtration system, comfort handpiece and reproducible controls allow your skincare specialist to customize the treatment to your specific skin type.  With any type of exfoliation some redness may occur and sensitivity to active products or topical prescriptions may be enhanced.  Most side effects are minimal and generally fade within 24 hours.  The majority of people receiving a SmartPeel treatment return to normal activity immediately. 

Most facial visits take up to 30 minutes.  Treatments that include the neck and décolleté can take up to an hours.  Time will vary for body exfoliation such as hand, arms or back treatments.